Bunn, N.C., defensive end Kerry Neal wasn't new to the Notre Dame campus but this weekend during his official visit to South Bend he was impressed by his future home. Thanks to a bye week for his high school team, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder arrived on campus on Friday and had the chance to observe the pep rally.

"It went good, real good," Neal said. "I got there on Friday around noon because my team had a bye so I went to the pep rally. It was in the gym this time, normally they have it on the field they said. The fans were really into it. It was good."